Delicious: Coffee at Davis Street Espresso

When Oak Cliff Coffee Roasters owner Shannon Neffendorf decided to open a shop to showcase his coffee, he left no detail untouched. The interior of Davis Street Espresso, the roaster’s new coffee shop and showroom, features unique wood paneling, booths, tables and chairs created from reclaimed pallet wood by Oak Cliff-based carpenter Gary Buckner. Handmade lamps hang from the ceilings of the space that started out as a pecan-shelling plant in the 1930s and more recently was an auto-repair shop. At the back of the space is a children’s area with low chairs and tables and toys to keep the little ones occupied. The star of the show, of course, is the coffee. Between the café and the roasting area is a lab where roasters and baristas “cup,” that is, taste, brew from new roasts and beans. “We’re constantly cupping for quality control,” says manager Will Riggs. One of the shop’s most popular offerings is the Van Buren ($4), named for the cross street at West Davis. It comes with two ounces of espresso and two ounces of steamed milk, plus a four-ounce shot of mineral water in a separate glass and a mini biscotto. Barista Cameron Carter carved the small wooden trays on which the Van Buren is served. Along with the perfect cup of coffee, Davis Street Espresso also serves churros and donuts from Vera’s Bakery and plain and chocolate croissants from Oak Cliff-based Rush Patisserie. But Neffendorf isn’t just trying to appeal to your palate. He’s also creating a sense of place, our neighborhood. At Davis Street Espresso, for example, there is no Wi-Fi. “We want people to engage with each other,” Riggs says.

Three more places to wet your whistle

1 Bolsa Mercado
Bolsa Mercado does have Wi-Fi, along with good lighting, big tables and comfortable seating areas. It’s one of the best public places to work in our neighborhood.
634 W. Davis
214.942.0451bolsadallas.com/bolsa-mercado

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2 Oddfellows
Every coffee freak in Dallas lost it when Oddfellows introduced its $15,000 La Marzocco Strada espresso machine. The Bishop Arts hot spot produces a consistently good cup of mud out of that thing. Plus, gingerbread pancakes.
316 W. Seventh
214.944.5958oddfellowsdallas.com